The jobs lists have changed, from 19 April 2017. A job must be listed to be eligible for a 457 visa. A link below to all jobs lists is below, including the ‘consolidated’ list which is a list of all jobs eligible for employer-sponsored visas.

It appears that

• People with existing 457 visas (already granted) are not effected.
• Those planning to transition to permanent residence may still do so. The requirement to work for 2 years before applying for permanent residence, is being increased to 3 years in March 2018. Apply before then (if possible) to avoid the increased requirement.
• 457 visa applications that have been lodged but are presently undecided are effected. If the job has been removed from the list, the case will be refused. Refunds will be available (no details on that yet).
• New 457 visa applications:
  • If you are granted a 457 visa after 18 April 2017 and your job is listed on the Medium/Long jobs list, it can be granted for 4 years. You will be able to be apply for a permanent 186/187 visa after 3 years on a 457 visa if that company decides to nominate you.
  • If you are granted a 457 visa after 18 April 2017 and your job is not on that list, it can only be granted for 2 years. There will be a maximum of one further extension allowed after that for another 2 years. You will not be allowed to apply for a permanent 186/187 visa under that occupation (unless it gets added to the Medium/Long jobs list).

Some good news

• 435 jobs remain on the list, including:
  • Electronic equipment trades worker
  • Sales and marketing manager
  • Marketing specialist
  • Recruitment consultant
  • Most trades – painters, carpenters, chefs, fibrous & solid plasterers, fitters, motor mechanics, tilers, welders, etc.

• See the ‘consolidated’ list (below) for all the jobs that remain on the list

216 Jobs have been removed from the list, including:

• Call or Contact Centre Manager
• Human Resource Adviser
• Workplace Relations Adviser
• Training & Development Professional
• Market Research Analyst
• Sales Rep (Industrial Products)
• Sales Rep (Medical & Pharmaceutical Products)
• many types of engineer

Farming-related occupations – most of these are now only available for approval if the job is located in a regional area.

Immigration has indicated that the jobs list will be reviewed:

• On 1 July 2017; and
• every 6 months in future.

If you are considering an application and the job is presently on the list, you can proceed. Be aware that if the job list changes before an application is approved, you will probably be treated the same as currently effected people (refused and given a refund).

You can see all the jobs lists here: http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists

The official press release is here: http://www.minister.border.gov.au/peterdutton/2017/Pages/putting-australian-workers-first.aspx

The jobs lists have changed from 19 April 2017. The changes are the same as those for 457 visas (refer to that section for details).

It appears that

• If you currently hold Permanent Residence granted to you under the Employer Nomination Scheme, you:
  • are not effected by the changes.
  • might be effected by the audit (see above ‘Audit Soon’ section)
• If you have applied for permanent residence (and are awaiting a decision on your application) under the
  • Temporary Residence Transition Stream, you are not effected.
  • Direct Entry Stream, you may be effected. We are awaiting details.
• New applications, made on or after today via:
  • Temporary Residence Transition Stream, should not be effected (assuming it relates to a 457 visa granted prior to 18 April 2017).
  • Direct Entry Stream will be effected. If your job is not on the new list, you cannot apply.